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stiff
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- pronunciation:
- stIf
- parts of speech:
- adjective, adverb
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
stiffer, stiffest |
| definition 1: |
When something is stiff, it is hard to bend.
Lauren found some stiff paper and made a birthday card for her mom.Anthony doesn't like it when his shoes are new and feel stiff.- synonyms:
- firm, rigid
- antonyms:
- flexible, plastic
- similar words:
- crisp, hard
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| definition 2: |
When something is stiff, it does not move freely or easily.
My grandmother often says her knees feel stiff.- antonyms:
- agile, loose
- similar words:
- rigid, tense
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| definition 3: |
When someone's manner is stiff, it means that they are not relaxed or friendly.
The school nurse has a stiff manner, but actually she is a very nice person.In the principal's office, the secretary gave David a stiff greeting, and it made David even more nervous.- synonyms:
- formal
- antonyms:
- informal, relaxed
- similar words:
- awkward, brittle, chilly, cold, cool, distant, unfriendly, wooden
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| definition 4: |
When something is stiff, it is difficult to get through it or to conquer it. A stiff climb up a mountain is a difficult climb.
Aidan's team is really good, but there is very stiff competition from other teams this year and it's not clear who will win the championship.- synonyms:
- difficult, hard
- antonyms:
- easy
- similar words:
- heavy, tough
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| definition 5: |
Something that is stiff is difficult or harsh. A stiff punishment is a tough punishment that may be worse than normal.
Five years in jail seems like a stiff punishment for the small thing the man did.Stiff demands at work makes Evan's dad really tired when he gets home.It's not easy to become a doctor. There are some stiff requirements.- synonyms:
- harsh, severe, strict
- antonyms:
- mild
- similar words:
- hard
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| definition 6: |
When something is stiff, it is firm or thick and doesn't move very easily.
The extra flour in the bread dough makes it very stiff.To make frosting, you need to beat the egg whites until they are quite stiff.- synonyms:
- thick
- antonyms:
- thin
- similar words:
- dense, firm, heavy, solid
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| definition 7: |
When we say that a price is stiff, we mean that it is very high.
When the price of the medicine became too stiff, Mrs. Davis had to stop taking it. Luckily, her doctor found her another medicine that is cheaper.- synonyms:
- excessive
- similar words:
- difficult, heavy, high, steep
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| related words: |
expensive, reserved, severe, stern, tight |
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| part of speech: |
adverb |
| inflections: |
stiffer, stiffest |
| definition: |
When you are scared stiff, it means that you are very, very scared
That scene in the movie scared me stiff!Nathan was getting bored stiff at the baseball game because It was getting late and neither team had scored.- synonyms:
- totally
- similar words:
- absolutely, extremely
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| related words: |
straight |
| derivations: |
stiffly (adv.), stiffness (n.) |
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